The Spiritual Ascent: A Devotional Treatise
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The Spiritual Ascent: A Devotional Treatise
- Publication date
- 1908
- Usage
- Public Domain Mark 1.0
- Collection
- folkscanomy_miscellaneous; folkscanomy; additional_collections
- Language
- English
Contents
The Translator's Note
The Life of Gerard Zerbolt of Zutphen by Thomas a Kempis Page vij
The Devout Treatise of Gerard of Zutphen, concerning the steps that lead upward in the Spiritual Life 1
Chapter I. Concerning" five things needful for them that order themselves for progress in the Religious Life 1
Chapter II. Concerning the place and state of natural and primitive worthiness in which God did set man in the beginning, and concerning the many gifts which He gave to him. 4
Chapter III. Concerning the valley of tears to the which mankind hath fallen, through the lapse of the first man ; also of the minishing of the powers of the soul and the ill-adjustment thereof which man hath incurred; and how this is the first lapse from our aforesaid state of uprightness. 7
Chapter IV. How that mankind have not only departed from a state of uprightness through the fall of the first man, but also have gone very far to impurity of heart, being beguiled by their concupiscence ; the nature of thisimpurity of heart, and how this is the second lapse 9 Chapter V. Of the third downfall of man, namely, by mortal sin, by the which he hath gone very far off, to a land of estrangement 12
Chapter VI. Of the three examinations ; and how it is chiefly by the remembrance of sin that a man doth regain his senses to perceive that his last downgoing was through mortal sin 12
Chapter VII. Of the second examination by the which a man doth bestir himself concerning his whole state, both inward and outward, and through which he cometh to this point that he doth perceive his first downward step, and the minishing of the powers of his soul 16
Chapter VIII. Of the third examination, by which a man doth bestir himself out of his daily excesses : for by this doth he learn discernment concerning purity of heart ; and also of the discovery of the passions 18
Chapter IX. How that before he doth make an upward step a man ought first of all to determine in his heart what his spiritual exercises should be, and to commune with some spiritually minded man as to the same ; and how that holy exercises are not to be changed lightly, but that one must persevere in them until he reach the end 20
Chapter X. How that a man ought to order this in his heart in one way as regardeth the end, but in another in regard to the means leading to that end 22
Chapter XI. Of the three upward steps which overcome the three falls afore mentioned, and do lead us back to a state of uprightness. After this it remaineth to speak in the discourse following of the upward steps by which thou oughtest to ascend and return 24
Chapter XII. Of the first ascent against mortal sin; the three steps of this ascent ; and of contrition 24
Chapter XIII. Of Confession, which is the second step of this ascent 26
Chapter XIV. Of Satisfaction, which is the third step of the first ascent 27
Chapter XV. Here begifmeth the second ascent, which overcometh the second descent, whereby a man doth return to purity; and how that uncleanness of heart consisteth in three things, to overcome which three a man goeth upward also in this second ascent by three steps 28
Chapter XVI. Of the first step of this ascent, which consisteth in fear; in this step our heart is by fear withdrawn from hurtful affections and attachments 30
Chapter XVII. How Compunction which is born of fear may be brought about in various and divers manners by exercises and by meditation 32
Chapter XVIII. How that Compunction is profitable; and of the manner in which it doth purify the heart 33
Chapter XIX. A general method to be used for shaping meditations about death 34
Chapter XX. General thoughts on the Last Judgement by which a man may strike terror into himself 37
Chapter XXI. How that a man, by remembering the pains of hell, doth get Dread and Compunction 39
Chapter XXII. Of the second step of the second ascent, which is through Hope and yearning for things heavenly and spiritual, by which a man is purged and made whole of the second impurity of heart 42
Chapter XXIII. Of Compunction through love and how a man shall exercise himself therein 44
Chapter XXIV. A general method of moulding one's meditations concerning the Kingdom of Heaven, so as to have Compunction and a desire to reach that Kingdom 46
Chapter XXV. How that a man, by being mindful of the benefits that God hath done him, is inflamed in devotion and kindled to Compunction 47
Chapter XXVI. Here beginneth the treatise concerning the third step of this ascent, which is in Charity and Purity of heart (for in these doth this ascent consist), and how a man may know when he is come to this step of Purity and Charity 51
Chapter XXVII. Of the three steps of the ascent which overcome the third impurity; by these, each in his order, is a man so disposed as to be able to cleave more perfectly to God 54
Chapter XXVIII. Of the types and prophecies in the Scriptures concerning the Incarnation of Christ 60
Chapter XXIX. Concerning the Annunciation 60
Chapter XXX. The Life of Christ in brief until the Supper 61
Chapter XXXI. Of the Lord's Supper 64
Chapter XXXII. Concerning the Lord's Passion and of the three ways in which a man ought to exercise himself thereon 72
Chapter XXXIII. The Passion of CHRIST set forth in brief, and divided into portions. The First Portion. 80
Chapter XXXIV. The Passion of Christ. The Second Portion. He was led to the house of Caiaphas, where the scribes and priests were waiting for Him 82
Chapter XXXV. The Passion of Christ. The Third Portion. But as Jesus stood in most lowly fashion before Pilate the Governor, a great tumult and mighty clamour roared around Him, as the Jews themselves cried out: "Crucify Him, crucify Him ; we have a law, and by our law He ought to die," and so forth. Then did Pilate order Him to be most cruelly scourged over His whole body j and as if He had unlawfully called Himself a king, He was mocked with much derision, being clothed in kingly garb and wearing a royal cloak ; His head was crowned with thorns, and grievously smitten with a reed ; in mockery He was adored upon bended knees, as though he were a king 84
Chapter XXXVI. The Passion of Christ. The Fourth Portion. When He had been led to the Mount of Calvary, the lictors began to set themselves to crucify Him, to strip Him of His vesture, and so forth with each several matter 85
Chapter XXXVII. The Passion of Christ. The Fifth Portion, They brake the bones and the legs of the thieves, but not a bone of Christ was broken, that prophecy might be thoroughly fulfilled. But one of soldiers pierced his side, whence came forth blood and water, and consecrated the sacraments of the Church. The veil of the Temple was rent, the graves of the dead were opened, that on the day of the Resurrection they might rise thence with Christ 87
Chapter XXXVIII. Of the manner in which the devout man, in making his ascents, ought to direct his thoughts to the Passion of Christ, so that he may go up by means of fear, make progress by means of hope, cleave to God by means of charity, and have his understanding enlightened 87
Chapter XXXIX. Of the Resummon of the Lord 90
Chapter XL. Of the glorious Ascension of Christ 91
Chapter XLI. Of the mission of the Holy Spirit 92
Chapter XLII. How that in this life we cannot accomplish perfectly any of the three steps aforesaid 92
Chapter XLIII. Of the three things by which the spiritual ascent is maintained and moved forward, that is to say, reading, meditation and prayer 93
Chapter XLI V. The manner in which holy reading doth help and sustain them that are upon the upward way, and how it must be ordered and directed towards spiritual progress 95
Chapter XLV. Of the manner of meditation 98
Chapter XLVI. Concerning prayer, and the manner of praying 101
Chapter XLVI I. Here beginneth the third ascent by which, through fighting down vices, we go upward from virtue to virtue, and form again those powers of our soul which had abandoned it; and especially of two things which do hinder them that go up the spiritual ascent 106
Chapter XLVI II. How vices do attack the powers of the soul, and hinder him that goeth upward on the spiritual way 107
Chapter XLIX. How some do leave their vices and get them to divers spiritual exercises ; and of the origin of affection 109
Chapter L. Of the three things needful to them that would strive in lawful wise against vices, namely, strenuousness, staid gravity and benignity 113
Chapter LI. How that it is expedient or necessary for a man who is going forward in spiritual exercises to have for a guide a man that is spiritual 1 14
Chapter LII. How that he who fighteth against the eight capital vices, doth in a manner strive against all inordinate affections 115
Chapter LIII. Of the manner of fighting against vices, and how that a man ought not to fight against all at one time, but against some one chief vice 116
Chapter LIV. How that one must fight against vices in different ways corresponding to the diversity of their nature ; and of that in which this diversity doth consist 119
Chapter LV. How there be three ascents to overcome each vice, that is three ways of going forward to the opposite virtue 120
Chapter LVI. Of the upgoing which overcometh the first vice which is gluttony 121
Chapter LVII. Of the upgoings whereby one must fight down the vice of luxury 125
Chapter LVIII. Of the upgoings that overcome avarice 128
Chapter LIX. The ascents to overcome wrath 129
Chapter LX. The ascents that lead to love of one's neighbour and to the overcoming of envy 130
Chapter LXI. The ascents whereby we overcome and and cast out accidie 133
Chapter LXII. How we go upward against vainglory to put it out 137
Chapter LXIII. Of the ascents whereby we should war against pride 139
Chapter LXIV. Here beginneth the fourth part, which concerneth the spiritual descents, which are divided into two: the first the descent to oneself, the second that to one's neighbour 143
Chapter XLV. Of the first descent by which a man goeth down, out of regard for himself, from a higher to a lower step 144
Chapter XL VI. Of the second descent by which a man must go down by times to learn discipline in his outward conduct and bearing 146
Chapter LXVII. The third descent, so far as it referreth to oneself. In this a man must needs exercise himself in the labour of his hands, seeing that for his frailty he cannot always nor long continue in spiritual exercises 148
Chapter LXVIII. Of the descents in regard to, or on behalf of, one's neighbour; of which the first is made at the bidding of our Superior 153
Chapter LXIX. Concerning the second descent in regard to our neighbour, by the which we do condescend to him, by giving either aid, counsel, admonition or correction 154
Chapter LXX. Of the third descent by which it is needful that a Superior go down, through care and solitude for those that are set under him 158
Concerning four things in which they who are beginning to serve God must be cautious if they would make progress Page 161
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The Translator's Note
The Life of Gerard Zerbolt of Zutphen by Thomas a Kempis Page vij
The Devout Treatise of Gerard of Zutphen, concerning the steps that lead upward in the Spiritual Life 1
Chapter I. Concerning" five things needful for them that order themselves for progress in the Religious Life 1
Chapter II. Concerning the place and state of natural and primitive worthiness in which God did set man in the beginning, and concerning the many gifts which He gave to him. 4
Chapter III. Concerning the valley of tears to the which mankind hath fallen, through the lapse of the first man ; also of the minishing of the powers of the soul and the ill-adjustment thereof which man hath incurred; and how this is the first lapse from our aforesaid state of uprightness. 7
Chapter IV. How that mankind have not only departed from a state of uprightness through the fall of the first man, but also have gone very far to impurity of heart, being beguiled by their concupiscence ; the nature of thisimpurity of heart, and how this is the second lapse 9 Chapter V. Of the third downfall of man, namely, by mortal sin, by the which he hath gone very far off, to a land of estrangement 12
Chapter VI. Of the three examinations ; and how it is chiefly by the remembrance of sin that a man doth regain his senses to perceive that his last downgoing was through mortal sin 12
Chapter VII. Of the second examination by the which a man doth bestir himself concerning his whole state, both inward and outward, and through which he cometh to this point that he doth perceive his first downward step, and the minishing of the powers of his soul 16
Chapter VIII. Of the third examination, by which a man doth bestir himself out of his daily excesses : for by this doth he learn discernment concerning purity of heart ; and also of the discovery of the passions 18
Chapter IX. How that before he doth make an upward step a man ought first of all to determine in his heart what his spiritual exercises should be, and to commune with some spiritually minded man as to the same ; and how that holy exercises are not to be changed lightly, but that one must persevere in them until he reach the end 20
Chapter X. How that a man ought to order this in his heart in one way as regardeth the end, but in another in regard to the means leading to that end 22
Chapter XI. Of the three upward steps which overcome the three falls afore mentioned, and do lead us back to a state of uprightness. After this it remaineth to speak in the discourse following of the upward steps by which thou oughtest to ascend and return 24
Chapter XII. Of the first ascent against mortal sin; the three steps of this ascent ; and of contrition 24
Chapter XIII. Of Confession, which is the second step of this ascent 26
Chapter XIV. Of Satisfaction, which is the third step of the first ascent 27
Chapter XV. Here begifmeth the second ascent, which overcometh the second descent, whereby a man doth return to purity; and how that uncleanness of heart consisteth in three things, to overcome which three a man goeth upward also in this second ascent by three steps 28
Chapter XVI. Of the first step of this ascent, which consisteth in fear; in this step our heart is by fear withdrawn from hurtful affections and attachments 30
Chapter XVII. How Compunction which is born of fear may be brought about in various and divers manners by exercises and by meditation 32
Chapter XVIII. How that Compunction is profitable; and of the manner in which it doth purify the heart 33
Chapter XIX. A general method to be used for shaping meditations about death 34
Chapter XX. General thoughts on the Last Judgement by which a man may strike terror into himself 37
Chapter XXI. How that a man, by remembering the pains of hell, doth get Dread and Compunction 39
Chapter XXII. Of the second step of the second ascent, which is through Hope and yearning for things heavenly and spiritual, by which a man is purged and made whole of the second impurity of heart 42
Chapter XXIII. Of Compunction through love and how a man shall exercise himself therein 44
Chapter XXIV. A general method of moulding one's meditations concerning the Kingdom of Heaven, so as to have Compunction and a desire to reach that Kingdom 46
Chapter XXV. How that a man, by being mindful of the benefits that God hath done him, is inflamed in devotion and kindled to Compunction 47
Chapter XXVI. Here beginneth the treatise concerning the third step of this ascent, which is in Charity and Purity of heart (for in these doth this ascent consist), and how a man may know when he is come to this step of Purity and Charity 51
Chapter XXVII. Of the three steps of the ascent which overcome the third impurity; by these, each in his order, is a man so disposed as to be able to cleave more perfectly to God 54
Chapter XXVIII. Of the types and prophecies in the Scriptures concerning the Incarnation of Christ 60
Chapter XXIX. Concerning the Annunciation 60
Chapter XXX. The Life of Christ in brief until the Supper 61
Chapter XXXI. Of the Lord's Supper 64
Chapter XXXII. Concerning the Lord's Passion and of the three ways in which a man ought to exercise himself thereon 72
Chapter XXXIII. The Passion of CHRIST set forth in brief, and divided into portions. The First Portion. 80
Chapter XXXIV. The Passion of Christ. The Second Portion. He was led to the house of Caiaphas, where the scribes and priests were waiting for Him 82
Chapter XXXV. The Passion of Christ. The Third Portion. But as Jesus stood in most lowly fashion before Pilate the Governor, a great tumult and mighty clamour roared around Him, as the Jews themselves cried out: "Crucify Him, crucify Him ; we have a law, and by our law He ought to die," and so forth. Then did Pilate order Him to be most cruelly scourged over His whole body j and as if He had unlawfully called Himself a king, He was mocked with much derision, being clothed in kingly garb and wearing a royal cloak ; His head was crowned with thorns, and grievously smitten with a reed ; in mockery He was adored upon bended knees, as though he were a king 84
Chapter XXXVI. The Passion of Christ. The Fourth Portion. When He had been led to the Mount of Calvary, the lictors began to set themselves to crucify Him, to strip Him of His vesture, and so forth with each several matter 85
Chapter XXXVII. The Passion of Christ. The Fifth Portion, They brake the bones and the legs of the thieves, but not a bone of Christ was broken, that prophecy might be thoroughly fulfilled. But one of soldiers pierced his side, whence came forth blood and water, and consecrated the sacraments of the Church. The veil of the Temple was rent, the graves of the dead were opened, that on the day of the Resurrection they might rise thence with Christ 87
Chapter XXXVIII. Of the manner in which the devout man, in making his ascents, ought to direct his thoughts to the Passion of Christ, so that he may go up by means of fear, make progress by means of hope, cleave to God by means of charity, and have his understanding enlightened 87
Chapter XXXIX. Of the Resummon of the Lord 90
Chapter XL. Of the glorious Ascension of Christ 91
Chapter XLI. Of the mission of the Holy Spirit 92
Chapter XLII. How that in this life we cannot accomplish perfectly any of the three steps aforesaid 92
Chapter XLIII. Of the three things by which the spiritual ascent is maintained and moved forward, that is to say, reading, meditation and prayer 93
Chapter XLI V. The manner in which holy reading doth help and sustain them that are upon the upward way, and how it must be ordered and directed towards spiritual progress 95
Chapter XLV. Of the manner of meditation 98
Chapter XLVI. Concerning prayer, and the manner of praying 101
Chapter XLVI I. Here beginneth the third ascent by which, through fighting down vices, we go upward from virtue to virtue, and form again those powers of our soul which had abandoned it; and especially of two things which do hinder them that go up the spiritual ascent 106
Chapter XLVI II. How vices do attack the powers of the soul, and hinder him that goeth upward on the spiritual way 107
Chapter XLIX. How some do leave their vices and get them to divers spiritual exercises ; and of the origin of affection 109
Chapter L. Of the three things needful to them that would strive in lawful wise against vices, namely, strenuousness, staid gravity and benignity 113
Chapter LI. How that it is expedient or necessary for a man who is going forward in spiritual exercises to have for a guide a man that is spiritual 1 14
Chapter LII. How that he who fighteth against the eight capital vices, doth in a manner strive against all inordinate affections 115
Chapter LIII. Of the manner of fighting against vices, and how that a man ought not to fight against all at one time, but against some one chief vice 116
Chapter LIV. How that one must fight against vices in different ways corresponding to the diversity of their nature ; and of that in which this diversity doth consist 119
Chapter LV. How there be three ascents to overcome each vice, that is three ways of going forward to the opposite virtue 120
Chapter LVI. Of the upgoing which overcometh the first vice which is gluttony 121
Chapter LVII. Of the upgoings whereby one must fight down the vice of luxury 125
Chapter LVIII. Of the upgoings that overcome avarice 128
Chapter LIX. The ascents to overcome wrath 129
Chapter LX. The ascents that lead to love of one's neighbour and to the overcoming of envy 130
Chapter LXI. The ascents whereby we overcome and and cast out accidie 133
Chapter LXII. How we go upward against vainglory to put it out 137
Chapter LXIII. Of the ascents whereby we should war against pride 139
Chapter LXIV. Here beginneth the fourth part, which concerneth the spiritual descents, which are divided into two: the first the descent to oneself, the second that to one's neighbour 143
Chapter XLV. Of the first descent by which a man goeth down, out of regard for himself, from a higher to a lower step 144
Chapter XL VI. Of the second descent by which a man must go down by times to learn discipline in his outward conduct and bearing 146
Chapter LXVII. The third descent, so far as it referreth to oneself. In this a man must needs exercise himself in the labour of his hands, seeing that for his frailty he cannot always nor long continue in spiritual exercises 148
Chapter LXVIII. Of the descents in regard to, or on behalf of, one's neighbour; of which the first is made at the bidding of our Superior 153
Chapter LXIX. Concerning the second descent in regard to our neighbour, by the which we do condescend to him, by giving either aid, counsel, admonition or correction 154
Chapter LXX. Of the third descent by which it is needful that a Superior go down, through care and solitude for those that are set under him 158
Concerning four things in which they who are beginning to serve God must be cautious if they would make progress Page 161
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